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37Leica BOX 18 %u00d7 24 mm prototypeAn exceptionally rare Leica BOX prototype from the mid-1950s, developed as a compact 18 %u00d7 24 mm half-frame camera using 35%u2009mm film with the Agfa KARAT cassette system.Measuring approximately 100%u00d7 64 %u00d7 48 mm, it was conceived as an extremely compact alternative within the Leica system. The offered camera bears the engraved serialnumber 000.01 and is, according to current knowledge, the only fully functional Leica BOX known to exist. Only one further example is known, a non-working design study preserved in the Leica Museum / Leica Camera Archive.The camera features a solid metal body with chrome finishand black vulcanite covering. Its construction and external design follow the contemporary Leica M series rather than the earlier screw-mount cameras. The camera is fully operational, with a correctly functioning shutter and clean,clear optics. It is fitted with a fixed Leitz Summaron 3.5%u2009cmlens. The lens flange also serves as the release mechanismfor the removable base plate, an unusual construction detail specific to this prototype. The camera further features anintegrated optical viewfinder and centrally positionedshutter-speed control. Various focal lengths appear to havebeen considered during the development of the Leica BOX, including 2.8 cm, 3.5 cm and 5 cm lenses. The second known example, preserved in the Leica Museum, is fitted with aSummaron 5.6/2.8 cm and was constructed as a non-working design study.The offered camera, No. 000.01, is illustrated in %u2018PrototypeLeica%u2019, page 389. The second known example in the Leica Camera Archive / Leica Museum is illustrated in Jim Lager, %u2018Leica: An Illustrated History%u2019, Volume I, page 140. With serial number 000.01, documented publication in specialist literature and only one further, non-working example known, the Leica BOX represents an exceptionally rare Leica prototype from the mid-1950s.Starting price: %u20ac 200.000*Estimate: %u20ac 400.000%u2013 500.000Serial no.:000.01Year of production: 1950sCondition: A/B